Kia Spring Cleans Sportage Lineup
Kia has just announced that it is now streamlining its Sportage SUV lineup this year, so it's sort of like the range is having a bit of a spring clean ahead of the summer when things will hopefully start to get back to something like normal.
Recent History
Since the fourth-generation Sportage came to the market in 2016, it's probably not unfair to say the lineup has continued to grow exponentially. When you look at how many trim levels, engine, transmission and drivetrain options were available by the start of 2020, you can clearly see the need for a bit of a cull.
Before the spring clean happened there were six Kia Sportage trim levels at one point, which were the 1, 2, GT-Line, 3, 4 and GT-Line S, and that's before you get into petrol, diesel or 48v mild-hybrid engine options. Oh yes, you also had two transmission options and a choice of front- or all-wheel-drive. Plenty of choice is good, but the Sportage lineup was getting ungainly and possibly out of hand.
Confession
I'll hold my hands up at this point and admit a little self-interest. I actually had a fourth-generation Kia Sportage for a couple of years, and I absolutely loved it. In fact, after a brief dalliance with a convertible for the last couple of years, I'm thinking of buying another Sportage quite soon.
The Sportage isn’t the best car in the world by any means, and the quality of my German convertible is undeniably better. However, the Sportage is attractive, well-equipped, practical, capable and very, very good value for money. I had an all-wheel-drive GT-Line 1.6 T-GDi 174bhp 7-speed auto DCT ISG, but which one would I go for now?
New Lineup
The trim levels from the summer will start with the Sportage 2, and then it will go to a 'new' Sportage 3, the GT-Line and the GT-Line S will remain the top-of-the-range model. The most affordable model will be a Sportage 2 with the 1.6-litre petrol engine that sends 130 bhp to the front wheels through a six-speed manual transmission. Next up will be an AWD version of the 2 with the engine turbocharged to develop a much more likable 174 bhp. Then you have a 1.6-litre diesel with 48V mild-hybrid technology and the choice of the six-speed manual or the seven-speed DCT automatic transmission.
Each trim level goes down a similar route in terms of engine and transmission options, so the lineup is a little easier to get your head around once you start to think about it.
The most expensive model will be the Sportage GT-Line S, 1.6 CRDi 134bhp, 48V 7-speed auto DCT ISG with all-wheel-drive that costs £33,325, which is a lot of car for the money. However, the real value is probably to be had with the AWD Sportage 2, 1.6 T-GDi 174bhp, 6-speed manual ISG, which costs from just £25,555.
High Specification
You might think starting with the 2 instead of the 1 is just a marketing thing where the names of the models are realigned to make you think you’re now getting more for your money. The good news is that's not the case here. Even the most affordable version of the Kia Sportage is extremely well equipped as standard, and this is actually a model where you'll question if there's any need to go for the top trim level. Check out the specs of the 2020 Sportage and see for yourself.
As for me, I'll probably be going for a GT-Line with the 174 bhp petrol engine, automatic transmission and all-wheel-drive again. I've never gone back and bought the same new vehicle for a second time in my life, but it's hard to match the value on offer here with the Kia Sportage, especially with this new lineup. Looking for used Kia Sportage cars for sale? Then check out DesperateSeller.co.uk today!
